new2BC4bass

My Gen 1 STX was the 3rd or 4th casting reel I bought. Used but like new. Has been a good reel for me. Keep 40# braid on it and take it to Florida almost every year with me. Think last year was the first time I didn't take it. Actually like it better than my Gen 1 Premier. Will bomb the right lure (with right rod) the proverbial country mile. Picked up a Gen 2 Premier over the winter. Haven't had it out yet, but many felt this model was one of the best in its price range. Abu has made some very nice reels. Also one or two not so great. Wouldn't own a Gen 2 SX from what I used to read about them. Excellent casting distance when dialed in correctly, but getting it dialed in correctly was something of a nightmare for some. Many backlashes.

How can you suggest a reel and then tell the poor man you buy every one you come across? Planning on reselling any of yours?

Most spinning reel handles are interchangeable. Pflueger makes some well built low cost reels. Take a look at the Trion or for a bit more the President.

Any combination is acceptable. However, If leaving an even number on, I do like to use opposing brakes. I think most would agree with that.

I assume you are talking about CXX?? A friend (Tomustang) use to use 15# on all his reels. Don't know about now. He never mentioned having to clear his spool after every hookset. Personally I would be looking for another line if that is the case. Nor would I want to pre-stretch my line before every outing. Are you sure you are putting a plug in for P-Line? Sounds more like you are warning us away from it.

Nope. You don't want to know how many reels I have. Heck, my wife doesn't want to know either. Or should I say I don't want my wife to know how many?

Both good lines. Both have good abrasion resistance. A fellow member has used many different brands and feels Platinum has the best abrasion resistance. I had some on my daughter's reel because she pretty much fishes nothing but Senkos. Complained of backlashes so I went to Siege for her. No complaints. Smalljaw67 tells me Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate mono is the best mono he has ever used. His advice has always been good. I'm currently trying some 12#.

I've got Daiwas with the Magforvce V, Z and 3D braking systems. Have no problems with any of them. Don't have a Coastal, but do have a few of the TD-Zs. A nice platform to be from.

Personally I prefer mono or co-polymer most of the time. No way would I suggest a fluorocarbon line to a first time user. Braid isn't a bad choice, and for certain applications it is my first choice. I much prefer it for throwing into lily pads. There are plenty of good lines to chose from. If you go with a mono or co-polymer, I would suggest NOT getting lines such as CXX or Platinum. Both are excellent lines with good abrasion resistance, but they are stiffer and have more memory because of this property. For learning either go with the braid or a soft mono such as Trilene XL, Sufix Elite or Sunline Super Natural to name a few. Line strength for me depends on the rod power more than anything else.

Gear ratio is the same for both. However, the 35 has 2.2 more IPT, 1# more drag and weighs 1.6 oz. more. That small extra weight doesn't mean a thing to me with a spinning reel because of how I hold the rod. Nor does the extra 1# of drag pressure. I do like a reel with a faster retrieve as I have no problem reeling very slow when necessary. Also line twist should be a little more manageable on the 35 because of the bigger spool. (We know it has to be a bigger spool because gear ratios are the same for both reels.) The combo price should be better than if bought separately. I'm guessing that saving money is important to you. In that case I would go for the combo. There are guys on here who favor one size or the other so mostly it is a matter of personal preference.

CXX is a very good (and tough) line. I don't know about 8#, but my concern with a spinning reel is would it have too much memory. I'd probably want to use a line conditioner if I went with CXX. Smalljaw67 tells me Spiderwire Ultracast Ultimate mono is the best mono he has ever used, but a spritz or two of line conditioner is also helpful with this line on a spinning reel. I like Sufix Elite for a softer (less memory) line although there are others such as Trilene XL and Sunline Super Natural that are also soft lines. Bigger spools help with line twist, but a 6935 holds a lot of 8# line. I'd be using some heavier mono for backing. It does offer a greater IPT than the 6930. In case you haven't guessed yet, I'd use an 8# mono or co-polymer. Been using AN40 on some casting reels and like it so far. Haven't tried it on a spinning reel yet.

Research shows that rod would work except for one minor detail. The longest rod offered is only 7' 7-1/8" long. A whole 32nd shorter than desired. Any other options?

Like the title says. I am looking for a new rod. Must be multi-technique capable. Plan on throwing 1/64 oz. to 5 oz. lures....maybe a tad heavier. Money is tight. Retirement out of sight. So I'd like to keep price at $43.67 or less. Also what reel and line should I use on this rod? Willing to spend more on the reel. Say $43.79 tops. Know where I can find a $446.92 reel for this price? Would 4# Vanish work? I considered 2# for increased casting distance, but my eyes aren't what they use to be. Well they never were good so...... Anyway give me your best options. Thanks. Almost forgot. I like longer rods. Looking for maximum casting distance. Looking for a rod between 7' 7-3/32" and 7' 7-5/32". Don't want any longer because I don't flyfish. Although I would love to if someone wants to take me under their wing. I already have the rod....a 7' 3wt. Just kidding on the rod. I'd prefer to use that for Tarpon. My bass flyrod is an old 8wt GL3 9 footer that has never seen water.

You shouldn't have any problem as long as the line wasn't exposed to high heat. My largest fish ever was caught on 8# Trilene XL that was several years old.

Maybe not popular with some, but I'm guessing 2/3rds or more of my rods were purchased used. Tatula 7' MR is suppose to arrive Tuesday.....another used rod.

Sounds like you should be trying some Yo-Zuri or other quality mono or co-polymer.

I'm with this gentleman. I prefer casting whenever possible. Last time I used a small fluke, it was with a Black Max 1600C and 6'9" MF V.I.P., but any decent LP should work.

I'm not the poster you quoted, but am willing to make a guess. Fluorocarbon has more memory than other lines. I'd guess he isn't going below 8 to avoid over-runs and backlashes. Your line breaking in the middle of the spool is almost 100% certainly due to backlashes....especially if it is fluorocarbon line.

I have no problem backlashing mine, but it seems I am in a minority. Mine is the Alphas SV 105 straight out of the box. Right now it backlashes/over-runs easier than any other reel I own. Depressing because I love the Alphas format and have 4 of them plus a couple Sols, which are pretty much the same thing. Best is personal preference. Personally I can't afford the best (read most expensive).. As of today's date, I have several "favorites". Zillion 50th Anniversary, Alphas, Primmus, Helios Air, Lew's Pro Z and Tournament MB, TD-Z 105H and Curado 201E7 to name a couple.

Okay guys. I am obviously a better caster than any of you because I can get my Lew's to backlash almost effortlessly. OP. Doesn't bother me to fish with a "heavy" reel all day either, but have to agree it is awful nice fishing with a light combo.

Thanks for the closeup. Will eliminate one problem should I ever decide to tear into mine. Electric or acoustic? Had to have an electric for my first, but discovered I love acoustic. EDIT: Photography also a hobby?

True. Just takes a few years for some of to do that.

Looks like you play the guitar as another hobby.

I have 40#. It does lose color pretty fast. Doesn't flake off on your fingers while spooling like Fireline does. Nor is it anywhere near as hard as Fireline. I don't remember the Performance being stiff, but it has been awhile since I first used it. Don't know about 50#, but the 40# casts great for me. My brother-in-law can tell you I was really bombing that 3/4 oz. spoon on a 7' MHF Jupiter rated 1/4-1 oz. I picked up a used reel that came with what had to be some fairly old 65# braid. Brand unknown. That stuff floated like a kite on the cast. Needless to say it didn't last very long before being replaced.

Far as I know it isn't new unless they made some changes to it. The 832 is a newer braid than the Performance. I had 40# Performance on a reel for about 5 years...not a lot of use....mainly on trips to Florida. Only reason I had to change it then was because I threw a 3/4 oz. spoon tied direct for about 5 hours one day, and it twisted the line bad. I prefer it to PP because it is quieter. Performance it is a good value, but I've read 832 is better. I've got some 832, but it is on a spinning rod and so sees very little use.